Summer Skincare Switch-Up: Travel, Heatwaves + SPF SOS
As the temperatures rise and the city starts to sweat, it’s time to reconsider the heavy textures and intense moisturisers that served you well in winter. Summer skincare operates on a different rhythm - more heat, more humidity, more UV exposure, and often, less predictability. What it needs is balance: protection without weight, hydration without heaviness, and a routine that travels as well as you do.
This is your guide to building a seasonally intelligent summer skincare routine - grounded in skin health, powered by science, and curated with results in mind.
1. SPF: The First and Last Word in Summer Skincare
Let’s start with the obvious in your summer skincare lineup - and the most important step. Daily broad-spectrum SPF is the cornerstone of every summer skincare routine. Not just for holidays. Not just for heatwaves. Daily.
At Pfeffer Sal, we only recommend mineral-based sunscreens - never chemical. Why? Mineral SPFs (also known as physical sunscreens) use naturally occurring UV filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect harmful rays, offering broad-spectrum protection that’s safer for both your skin and the environment. They’re reef-safe, non-toxic, and suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.
Look for lightweight, high-performance formulas that combine UV filters with antioxidants to protect against both environmental and solar stressors. Texture matters here. You want something that layers well, disappears quickly, and plays nicely with makeup (or no makeup at all).
Our mineral SPF favourites available at Pfeffer Sal:
Esse Sunscreen SPF 30 - a clean, mineral option with antioxidant support
Synergie UberZinc SPF 15 - a cult favourite for sensitive skin and barrier support
Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 31 - reef-safe, silky, and subtly tinted
LESSE Every Tone SPF 30 - mineral-based, universal, and effortlessly wearable
- Odacité SPF 50 Mineral Drops - a serum-like finish that layers seamlessly under makeup
2. Lightweight Layers Only, Please
Summer skincare doesn’t require rich creams - it needs breathable hydration that works with, not against, heat and humidity. Look to serums and emulsions that deliver water-binding ingredients like hyaluronic acid and barrier-supportive actives like niacinamide.
These products are ideal for layering, especially when your skin’s needs fluctuate from day to night, or beach to boardroom.
Lightweight hydrators we love:
Esse Light Moisturiser - a botanical emulsion perfect for daytime use
MAY Botanicals Daily Dose - calming, cooling, and packed with adaptogens
Synergie Vitamin B - high-strength niacinamide for barrier health and oil control
Cosmetics 27 Crème Légère - feather-light with a satisfying finish
3. Actives: Sun-Safe, Not Sabotaging
You don’t need to abandon actives in summer - but you do need to be more strategic. Retinoids, acids, and exfoliants can increase photosensitivity (aka sensitivity to sunlight), so reserve them for your evening summer skincare routine and avoid over-exfoliation, especially when UV index is high.
Daytime should focus on protection and prevention: think vitamin C and antioxidants to support collagen and combat sun-induced pigmentation.
Smart summer actives:
Synergie Effica-C - stable, customisable antioxidant power
Esse Resurrect Serum - gentle exfoliation, botanical-led
Wildsmith Active Repair Copper Peptide Serum - firming, reparative, and barrier-strengthening
4. A Smarter Travel Kit
Planes, trains, taxis, late nights, and unfamiliar travel can be unkind to skin. The solution? A compact, highly functional summer skincare edit that covers the essentials: cleanse, hydrate, protect, and repair.
We recommend packing minis, multi-taskers, and solid or balm-based formats that won’t explode in your carry-on - and don't count toward your liquid allowance!
Travel summer skincare favourites stocked at Pfeffer Sal:
- MAY Botanicals Essential Gift Set - a botanical but potent routine in miniature
- Synergie NRgetic Biomask - four targeted treatments in a travel-friendly pack
- Esse Protect Oil – a nourishing shield for dry climates and late nights
- LESSE Regeneration Mist - calming, mineral-rich, and beautifully balancing
5. Calm Down, Hot Stuff
Heat, sweat, and frequent SPF reapplication can lead to congestion and sensitivity. Listen to your skin - if it's showing signs of stress, simplify. Step away from acids and reach for calming ingredients like aloe, green tea, and chamomile. Your summer skincare should focus on barrier repair and gentle cleansing.
Probiotics and ceramides are particularly helpful here, especially after sun exposure or long travel days.
For skin that needs a reset:
Esse Sensitive Cleanser - barrier-respecting and gentle
Synergie DermaCalm - formulated for reactive skin and redness
Pfeffer Sal Gentle Facial - our go-to for stressed, sensitive complexions
Esse Probiotic Serum - supports microbiome balance and repair
6. Pre-and Post-Holiday Treatments That Make a Difference
Your at-home summer skincare can do a lot - but nothing beats a professional reset. Whether you’re preparing for a week in the sun or restoring balance after one, booking a targeted facial can help optimise skin function and maintain long-term results.
Try these summer skincare specials worth scheduling:
Reset + Go - pre-travel hydration and resilience-building
Brightening Facial - post-sun glow recovery and pigment support
Backatcha: Cleanse + Calm - a deep-cleansing back treatment (ideal for hot-weather breakouts)
Under the Light - a summer-friendly quickie that boosts recovery without downtime
7. Think Balance, Not Overhaul
Summer skincare isn’t about stripping things back to nothing or starting from scratch. It’s about tuning in to what your skin actually needs - lighter textures, targeted ingredients, and a touch more intention. Keep your barrier strong, your protection high, and your summer skincare travel kit edited. Your skin will thank you come September.
Need help building your personal summer skincare routine? Book a consultation with one of our expert therapists, and we’ll curate a seasonal edit that works for your skin, your schedule, and your travel plans.
THE DESTINATION FOR SKIN HEALTH
+44 (0) 20 3883 4702 - PFEFFERSAL.COM
THE STABLES, 10B WARREN MEWS, LONDON W1T 6BY
